Chapter 16:
A/N: At last I finally got words to work and actually got them to make sense on paper! I hope you enjoy this installment. Thank you for all your patience as I slowly recover.
Ana groaned when she looked at the caller id of her cell phone. Mia Grey! The name that set the fires of impatience in Ana. Ever since Mia found out that there was a wedding to be planned, she had been stuck to Ana like glue, offering ideas and trying to take over the planning. Ana finally had to set Mia down one day and give her a stern talking to. Mia was not happy. She pouted, cried, and then got angry and told everyone and anyone who would listen that she would not be part of the wedding since her opinions did not matter in the family. The green-eyed monster of jealousy had taken over Mia. She was no longer the Grey Princess with both her brothers and parents catering to her every whim and desire. She had competition. Ana took a deep breath and answered her phone. "Hello. Ana Steele."
"Hey, soon-to-be- sister…I just saw the most perfect cake on Cake Boss. I am sure that we can get Buddy to come …"
"Mia, the cake is already ordered." Ana offered gently.
"But, Ana, this cake is perfect for you. You just have to let me…"
"Mia, please… I know you are wanting to help but the cake has already been ordered." Ana shook her head when she heard the flabbergasted sigh of Her Majesty. "You are such a sweetheart to want to help, but Christian and I have certain wants and needs. Listen, hon…when you get married…you can have the Cake Boss cake, and the swans, and the balloon release. You have wonderful ideas for someone who wants a big extravaganza of a wedding, but Christian and I want intimate, warm, and family friendly."
Mia sighed once again. "I'm doing it again, aren't I?" She softly asked. "I just want to help…this is my favorite brother's wedding."
"And, you have been helpful, Mia. I appreciate all your help, especially with the dresses. Kate and Tara will be delightful in the dresses you found, and of course as the official hostess of the reception at both venues, you are doing Christian and me a great service. We love that you have come up with ideas for the second reception for when we return from our honeymoon." Ana patted herself on the back for handling Mia Grey with such grace.
"Oh, Ana, you are the best big sister in the world." Mia said with a tear in her eye. "I am so glad that Christian met you."
Ana had to laugh. "I'm glad that he met me also." The office phone began ringing. "Hey, I have to get back to work. Stop by later tonight at Escala and we can go over a few of your plans for the second reception…ok?"
"Around seven?"
"That will be perfect. See you then, Mia." Ana switched off her phone and picked up the office phone. "Grey Law, how may I help you?"
"You can marry me." A deep and sexy voice said. Ana bit her lip knowing that her fiancé was on the line.
"Hmmm….let me see." She joked. "I think I can pencil you in…oh I'm sorry…I already have an appointment to be married. He is drop-dead gorgeous, a great kisser, and he so… sexy."
Christian felt his heart begin to pound wildly against his chest as Ana's voice dropped into that husky whisper to say "sexy". "He is one lucky bastard."
"Yes, I know…I keep telling him that." She giggled. "I miss you."
"Oh baby…I miss you also. I'll be flying in tonight and I hope that you will be at Escala waiting for me." Ana giggled once again imagining her man with a sexy little pout on his face. "Ana…"
"I'll be there, sweetheart…where else would I be since you moved my belongings from the apartment? I can't very well come into work wearing the same suit. I guess could I come in naked."
"Oh hell, no…" Christian bellowed making Ana laugh out loud knowing that she got him up and running. She did know how to get him all riled up. "My Dad doesn't…."
"Christian…calm down before you have a stroke… I was only joking." She shook her head. "You have to learn how to take a joke."
"I'll give you something to joke about when I get home." His voice dripped with sexual promise. "I love you, Ana."
"I love you, Christian." She softly said missing him. He had been gone for two days and she was missing sleeping in his arms. "Hurry home, babe."
"I'll be there as soon as I can… that's a promise babe."
Carrick stood in the doorway to his office listening to the sweet talk between Ana and his son. He had to smile as he stepped back into his office to give them privacy to say goodbye. He took a deep breath. "Thank you dear heaven for sending Ana Steele to us."
Mia was a sunburst into the living room of Christian's penthouse. She came with smiles, magazines, and more energy than she knew what to do with. She was there to finish planning the second wedding reception of Ana and Christian and to the engaged couple's credit, they have given her carte blanche. Ana had to laugh out loud when Mia dropped all the paraphernalia she carried onto the sofa.
"Did you bring enough, Mia?" Ana asked with a smile.
"Oh, laugh now, but when you are asking questions and needing visual answers, you will thank me later." Mia flopped down onto the sofa and toed off her high-heel shoes.
"I am sure everything will be beautiful, Mia. I have the upmost confidence in you to deliver us a lovely and exquisite wedding reception."
"Do you know where you are going for your honeymoon? Mom said that Christian won't tell anyone, not even her."
"It's a state secret I guess." Ana shrugged her shoulders. Christian wanted their honeymoon to be a surprise for her and a secret to the world. They would have a month away from Seattle, their careers, and of course family and friends. It was time for only them with no distractions. "But, I figure it must be overseas and knowing your brother, it will be exotic and expensive."
Mia agreed with a nod of her head. "Okay, sister, it's time to look over these ideas. As you requested I made up three different themes for your consideration."
Ana took the offered storyboards that showed Mia's visions. They all were beautiful. Ana could tell that Mia put much thought, research, and work into her presentation. "They are all beautiful, Mia, but I like this one…the English Garden."
"I thought you would." Mia said with a smile for she had won her bet with Elliot who swore that Ana would choose the Tuscany theme. She was now a thousand dollars richer! "So, the English Garden theme for the second reception. Perfect. I think the gardens at Mom and Dad's would be a perfect venue and of course, for security, it will be a breeze for Taylor and his team since he knows the place so well." She took another breath. "Okay, let's talk food…"
Christian arrived as Mia was packing her presentation and preparing to leave. He gave her a giant hug and a promise for lunch soon. He walked her to the elevator. "Thank you, Mia for helping us. Ana loves your ideas, I can tell by the way she is smiling."
"You idiot, she is smiling because you are home." Mia gave her brother another kiss then hopped into the elevator. "Lunch, this week." She poked the lobby button and smiled at her brother as the doors closed.
When Christian returned to the living room, Ana was gone. He tugged off his jacket and loosen his tie as he made his way to their bedroom. He opened the door and gasped. She was standing before him wearing only a smile and his grey, diamond patterned tie. She looked delicious. He closed the door with his foot and admired her as he unbuttoned his shirt. "Ms. Steele, are we in the mood to play?"
"Why, Mr. Grey … always." She slowly kneeled before him, her eyes never leaving his. She was silent as she slowly unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. With grace and gentleness, she slid his trousers over his hips. She licked her lips to see the giant bulge in his gray boxer-briefs. "I think you are glad to be home, Christian."
"I am always glad to be with you." He caught his breath when her hands slid up his legs and cupped his heavy balls. Her very touch made his blood boil and his skin catch on fire with need and desire. No other woman had ever touched him as she did … they never dared to! He closed his eyes to gain control over his actions. He wanted to pick her up and carry her to their bed to ravish her completely. This was Ana's time. She was the one in control now. He was hers to do as she pleased. "Ana." Her name was a prayer on his lips. The moment he felt her soft hands free his thundering cock, he knew he was lost. She had him completely and he would do anything she wanted. Ana wanted the moon, it was hers! She wanted the streets of Paris to be made of gold for her to walk upon, it will be done! He would deny her nothing. He nearly crumbled when he felt her hot breath upon the head of his cock, right before she licked him. His moan was low and feral.
"Mmmmm, Christian, you taste so good." She groaned against the throbbing nerves of his shaft. "So good." That was all it took. Christian growled loudly as he reached down and pulled his woman into his chest. His mouth covered hers as he picked her up and took her to the bed. He couldn't stop kissing her. He fell upon her, still kissing her. He barely lifted his hips when she shifted her hips so that he would slide easily inside her. Those long legs of hers held him tight as she pushed her hips forward, impaling herself on him. "So good…oh Christian…take me."
"Fuck, woman, you are going to kill me." He began to move, slowly at first until she bit his shoulder. He yelled out her name and plunged deeply into her. His thrusts came harder, deeper, and faster. He strained against the need to release himself into her. He had to please her and make her come and come again. The feel of her womb encasing him and pressing him harder and harder was heaven on earth. When he knew that he could not stop the inevitable, he kissed her deeply, thoroughly, and then let loose his passions. She cried out when she felt the heat of his seed cover her womb. She was panting wildly and sexually satisfied.
"I love you." She softly said into his neck. "I will always love you."
Christian kissed over her collarbone then found her sweet lips. "I adore you beyond mere words, Anastasia. I love you, Ana… forever and a day." They embraced each other and gently fell into a lover's sleep knowing that they each had the other's heart. Sleep was peaceful for Christian Grey and his heart was home with Ana. Here, he was always safe.